Party wants leadership role for Priyanka: Congress

Congress party campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra interacts with people during an election meeting in Kutia (Unchahar). PTI/Atul Yadav

The Congress has said the party wants all three members of the Gandhi family to take leadership role amid growing indication about a larger role for Priyanka Gandhi in party affairs.

There have been media speculation that Priyanka is likely take up a formal responsibility in the party as the general secretary of the crucial Hindi state of Uttar Pradesh.

"Everybody from all over India want that all members of Gandhi family should come in politics. We want that all three of them should take the leadership role in the party," party spokesperson Shobha Oza told reporters on Thursday.

She was replying to a question about a poster that came up in Allahabad proclaiming that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would soon be joining active politics.

A banner which came out a couple of days ago read "Congress ka Moon, Priyanka is coming soon (The key face of Congress Priyanka is joining politics soon)".?

Oza's remarks in the official briefing of the AICC comes a day after senior Congress leader and a Gandhi family loyalist Oscar Fernandes said on Wednesday that Priyanka should have a more active role in the Congress and that she should take up an "important responsibility".

When asked if Priyanka's entry would not be treated as a vote of no-confidence in Rahul, he had said, "There is no comparison. Rahul is the vice-president of the party, Sonia is the president. Another member of the Gandhi family would strengthen the party."

Congress in the past has said it is up to Priyanka to take a decision whether she wants to take up a larger and more formal role.